Unity Blog: Finding Unity with our Whole Heart

Unity Prize

News & Updates

Limmud Awarded Jerusalem Unity Prize for 2017

26/03/2017

Limmud, the international network of Jewish learning communities, has been selected as the “global” category recipient for the 2017 Jerusalem Unity Prize. Founded in the United Kingdom in 1980, Limmud today has spread to 84 communities in 44 countries on six continents. In 2016, Limmud’s 4,000 volunteers produced 74 Jewish learning festivals around the world, which drew over 40,000 participants.

The Jerusalem Unity Prize was developed by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, together with the Fraenkel, Shaer, and Ifrach families and GESHER, in memory of Naftali, Gil-ad and Eyal, the three teens who were kidnapped and subsequently murdered in the summer of 2014. Now in its third year, the 2017 prize was awarded to initiatives and recipients in three categories: local, national and global.

In acknowledging the honor, Limmud chair David Hoffman said, “Limmud promotes Jewish unity by offering an inclusive cross-communal space for Jews of all ages and backgrounds, to meet, learn, volunteer and build community. Unity is created by Jews working together to build their community and create a dynamic Jewish future, which is embodied by what Limmud does.”

The national prize winner has been awarded to Tzav Pius, which “works to develop an Israeli society in which Jews of differing perceptions along the secular-orthodox spectrum, share a strong commitment to Jewish and democratic values, thus encouraging social and educational changes”.

The award in the local category will be presented to two recipients. The first non-Jewish candidate for the prize, award recipient Dr. Janaan Frajj Falah has worked to advanced initiatives that bridge social gaps between women of diverse backgrounds in Israel’s North. The second winner is Kehilat Hadar, based in Haifa, which works to promote social and cultural harmony between local groups of various religions and ethnicities.

The prize will be awarded in a ceremony hosted at Beit HaNassi (the residence of Israel’s President) on June 7th, which will also mark Global Jewish Unity Day with commemorations and educational events taking place all over the world.

(JERUSALEM- December 20, 2016) With the call for nominations for the 3rd annual Jerusalem Unity Prize underway, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has brought together a coalition of mayors from diverse cities across Israel to highlight the need for unity in the country.

Barkat was joined by mayors Ron Huldai of Tel Aviv, Rafik Chalabi of Dalit Al-Carmel, Rubik Danielevitch of Beer Sheva, Chaim Bibas of Modiin- Maccabim Reut and Moshe Abutbul of Beit Shemesh to launch Unity Day 2017 activities. Mayor Barkat highlighted the need for unity amongst Israelis and the Jewish community around the world and encouraged nominations and applications for the 300,000 NIS in prizes. Applications can be submitted until January 5, 2017 at www.unityprize.org

Launched in 2015, the Jerusalem Unity Prize and Unity Day, scheduled this year for June 7th 2017, is an initiative spearheaded by Mayor Barkat and Gesher to memorialize Naftali Fraenkel, Gil-ad Shaer and Eyal Ifrach, the three youths whose kidnapping and murders served as a catalyst for unprecedented national and international unity in the summer of 2014.

The award is presented annually on Unity Day in June to individuals, organizations and initiatives that unite peoples of different backgrounds and perspectives to work towards a common goal. Over 1.5 million people have participated in international events and commemorations on Unity Day since the project was first launched.

Mayor Barkat welcomed the involvement of his fellow mayors in publicizing the 2017 program: “The Unity Prize’s broad support from mayors across the country is a testament to its success in unifying the people of Israel. The Unity Prize ensures that the events of the summer of 2014 and the memories of the three boys will continue to inspire action in Jerusalem, Israel and the global community.”

Past nominees have included unity initiatives that focus on sport, outdoor activities, lectures, outreach and education programs. Individual programs and initiatives across the world have spanned all ages and all religious backgrounds.

The Jerusalem Unity Prize is awarded in three categories – local, national and global. Each prize category can apply either to an Israeli or international initiative and will be awarded a prize of up to 100,000 NIS. Some past winners have included the Global School Twinning Network, Hapoel Katamon Football Club, Nifgashim B’Shvil Yisrael (Meeting on the Israel Trail) and Chabad House in Bangkok Thailand.

“It’s inspiring to see activities and programs taking place around the world – from Australia and South Africa to the small towns in Russia – working to bring the Jewish community closer together,” said Gila Brill, Director of International Initiatives for Unity Day. “Hundreds of applications have been submitted in the past two years and we look forward to reviewing this year’s contributions reflecting the growing commitment to our people’s unity.”

The Prize is selected by a Committee of top public and social figures chaired by Mayor Barkat and composed of Former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, Chair of the Jewish Agency Natan Sharansky, Former Chief Rabbi of the UK Lord Jonathan Sacks, Gesher Founder Rabbi Dr. Danny Tropper, Former Minister of Education Professor Yuli Tamir, Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman, entertainer Kobi Oz, and the Fraenkel, Shaer and Ifrach families.

Amal Assad, a senior figure in the Druze community and a strong advocate for social unity has also been selected to join the Committee for the 2017 prize. In accepting the nomination to the committee, Mr. Assad said, “Unity does not mean uniformity – rather it is the ideal that inspires us to lives in respect with one another despite our differences.”

President Reuven Rivlin Hosts Jerusalem Unity Prize Award Ceremony in Commemoration of International Jewish Unity Day

01/06/2016

President Reuven Rivlin Hosts Jerusalem Unity Prize Award Ceremony in

Commemoration of International Jewish Unity Day

Over 1.5 million People to Participate in Unity Day Events Worldwide

(Jerusalem, June 1, 2016) Marking the second anniversary of the kidnappings and murders of three Israeli teens; Naftali Fraenkel, Gil-ad Shaer and Eyal Ifrach; over 1.5 million people participated in Unity Day commemorations around the globe. Unity Day, now in its second year, is an initiative of the Jerusalem Unity Prize created by the families of the three boys together with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and Gesher.

Unity Day and the Jerusalem Unity Prize are designed to bring together all elements of the global Jewish community to demonstrate the sense of national collectiveness which defined the Jewish people in the wake of the boys’ kidnappings.

Global events were planned for 25 countries and include programs in over 100 cities with an expected participation of 750,000 people. Unity Day is working with 160 different partner organizations to coordinate the 200 different events in schools, synagogues, community centers and parks.

In Israel, an expected 850,000 participatGed in official government, school and private events on Unity Day, June 1st, highlighted by the award ceremony for the Jerusalem Unity Prize at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. In his comments at the ceremony, President Rivlin said, “The Jerusalem Unity Prize and Unity Day allow us to salute the togetherness which exists in society- both out of choice and out of tragedy.”

The award salutes the accomplishments of individuals and initiatives who have prioritized unity within the Jewish community. This year’s winners include the Global Schools Twinning Project, an initiative of the Jewish Agency’s Partnership2Together, Hapoel Katamon Sports Club which uses athletics to bring together diverse groups within Jerusalem society, Kesher Yehudi (The Jewish Connection), which works to bridge social gaps between Israel’s secular and haredi populations and the youth programs of Bnei Akiva together with the Noar Haoved V’Halomed and Dror Yisrael, which unite youth of diverse backgrounds in cultural and social programming.

Mayor Barkat, the Chair of the Prize Committee said, “The Jerusalem Unity Prize was created to promote the value of togetherness among the Jewish people. The 2016 winners of the Jerusalem Unity Prize demonstrate the very best of Jewish unity through their work to bridge gaps and strengthen ties among the Jewish people. I am confident that each of this year’s winners will continue their impressive work as ambassadors for Jerusalem and the Jewish world and will create a brighter future for the Jewish people.”

The families of the three boys said, “We are deeply appreciate of the level of support that we have received in enabling unity to become the lasting legacy of our sons. While the tragedy of their deaths can never be lessened, the fact that their memories are helping to build a better and strong Jewish world is deeply inspiring.”

I’m not a big fan of labels. But living in Israel, you can’t really escape them – you are either religious or secular, left or right, Ashkenazi or Sephardi, Arab or Jewish (that’s a whole other discussion). If you don’t fall squarely into a category, you’ll end up spending a lot of time explaining yourself.

Me? I call myself Reform (which, depending on who you ask, is akin to either “Religious” or “Secular”) and politically left.

When I joined B’Lev Shalem (then ElderOptions Israel), a senior care management company, we were a small organization with a team of three: Stacey, an observant, progressive American-Jew, Amos, a secular Israeli and leftist political activist, and me. The company had a distinctly secular and “left” feel to it – both our staff and our clients.

As the company grew, we hired Rachel. She was a perfect candidate: experienced, resourceful and compassionate. Rachel was religious, bringing a new dimension to our work. We had to consider how could serve our clients 24/7 when their Care Manager was unavailable over Shabbat and Chagim. At staff meetings, we served kosher-certified goods on disposable plates.

We expanded, and searched for more talent. We needed someone proactive, mega-competent, emotionally intelligent and passionate about working with seniors. Someone professional and empathic, a problem-solver and multi-tasker. Someone bi-lingual and bi-cultural who could address the unique needs of a largely Anglo client base.

Success! We found Karen and then Avigail. They’re religious too. Amos had left to become the Executive Director of the Jerusalem YMCA and Stacey was based in Chicago. That made us, suddenly, an almost entirely religious staff with a growing secular client base and an influx of religious clients.

I looked forward to our weekly staff meetings – a gathering of strong, passionate, articulate and kind women. All of us driven by a non-wavering belief that seniors should be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve, and should have all the resources necessary to live life as fully and independently as possible.

We were (and still are) an amazing team. We became more than colleagues. We became friends. We didn’t talk much about the invisible wall that divides us – religious and political. We didn’t talk about Trump’s election or the evacuation of Amona, despite the deep pain both caused for some of us.

But we did talk openly, as a group, about how to manage these issues in the work context. For example, how to handle secular clients who state a preference for a secular Care Manager (it happens)? In a highly personal and boutique business such as ours, should we automatically pair a secular Care Manager with a secular client, and vice versa? Should we hire a secular Care Manager specifically to serve non-religious clients? Would that be perpetuating prejudice or meeting the needs of our clients?

One Care Manager suggested that the staff should “look” less religious when they visit secular clients – they could wear a wig instead of a scarf or hat. And then Avigail stepped in: “I’ve worked in almost every geriatric setting in Israel – in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. I can assure you that when people need care, it doesn’t matter who is giving it. What matters is that they are being taken care of with competence and compassion.

A company policy was born. A policy in line with each of our values, regardless of political and religious beliefs. A policy of employing top-notch Care Managers, regardless of their ideologies, beliefs or appearance. A policy of supporting all seniors in Israel, and making staffing decisions based only on needs and expertise. A policy built on a belief that we give to each of our clients, regardless of politics or beliefs, “b’lev shalem” – with a whole heart.

Today, our full staff consists of secular-right wing, secular-left wing, reform-left, religious-right and religious left. I take great pride in leading an astounding team made up of such diverse individuals. But more than that, I’d like to share how amazing life can be when we, as a nation, band together.

On Friday night, November 25, 2016, fires raged across Israel, a result of terror-based arson. My news feed screamed that Neve Tzuf was up in flames. The religious community in the hills of Samaria where Avigail and her family live had been evacuated. I had never been to Avigail’s home, as she lived far across the Green Line, which I preferred not to cross.

It was Shabbat, and almost impossible to get information about Avigail and her family. I was overcome with worry, and overwhelmed by a feeling of helplessness and a need to somehow participate. So, we mobilized. I reached out to the Reform Community in Shoham (I’m a founding member), and we turned to social media to collect necessities for those in need: clothes, toys, furniture, dry goods.

Must be in excellent condition.

Must be kosher.

Within hours, what seemed like all of Shoham stopped by, laden with donations. My living room filled to capacity, and we called in volunteers to help sort by gender and size, weeding out items that were not in good condition. Boxes spilled into the driveway. A group of kids drew a sign “With Love, From Shoham.”

A friend who works at UPS called in a truck. At 8:00 pm, on Motzei Shabbat, the truck was quickly filled to capacity, and headed across the Green Line to Neve Tzuf. Ours was the first load of relief items to arrive. The residents of Neve Tzuf sent photos of boxes being unloaded, tables of clothing and shoes, and hanging on the wall: our sign. At that moment, it did not matter who donated and who received. We were one.

Our staff agrees: there is more we have in common than what divides us. We are all women, we are all mothers, we are all Jews, and we all care about our clients.